Thailand Vows to Continue Cambodia Strikes, Defying Trump's Ceasefire Claim

Despite United States President Donald Trump's claim on Friday to have successfully brokered a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Saturday morning that military action would continue. Anutin stated on Facebook that Thailand would perform military actions until it felt "no more harm and threats," directly refuting Trump's earlier announcement of an agreement and his claim that a roadside bomb that killed Thai soldiers was an accident. 

Cambodia's Ministry of Defence accused Thailand of continuing to drop bombs, citing two F-16 jets dropping seven bombs and continuous ground and aerial attacks up until Saturday morning, including striking hotels and casinos in border areas. 

The current fighting, which is the sixth consecutive day after an earlier peace agreement brokered by Trump in October, broke down, has centred on disputed temple ownership along the 800km border, displacing an estimated 600,000 people and killing at least 20 across both nations. The conflict appears to be politically beneficial for Prime Minister Anutin, whose popularity has risen ahead of an impending snap election, making a return to a ceasefire unlikely until after the results are known.